Glen Powell's "The Running Man" Gets Thrilling Stephen King Approval & New Details

Get ready for a wild ride! Edgar Wright's fresh take on Stephen King's dystopian thriller, The Running Man, is hitting theaters soon, and guess what? Stephen King himself has given it a massive thumbs-up, calling it "fantastic" and "DIE HARD for our time." Star Glen Powell even had to get the horror master's personal approval for the role!

TL;DR

Stephen King has already seen Edgar Wright's The Running Man and absolutely loves it, calling it "fantastic" and "DIE HARD for our time."
Glen Powell had a nerve-wracking wait for King's approval after being offered the lead role, with King watching Powell's film Hit Man to decide.
The movie, hitting theaters November 14, 2025, is a more faithful adaptation of King's 1982 novel than the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film, though it will still pay homage.

Stephen King Gives His Royal Stamp of Approval on "The Running Man" Adaptation

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Well, King has spoken, and it’s good news for fans of Glen Powell, Edgar Wright, and, of course, Stephen King himself! The master of horror recently took to social media (X and Threads, specifically) to share his verdict on the upcoming adaptation of his 1982 novel, The Running Man. And his review? Pure gold. "I've seen it and it's fantastic," King wrote, adding that it's "DIE HARD for our time. A bipartisan thrill ride." Talk about high praise!

This isn't just any casual compliment; King is known for being pretty upfront about adaptations of his work, sometimes even when they don't quite hit the mark. So, for him to give such a glowing, concise review before the film even officially drops is a huge vote of confidence. It suggests that Wright and Powell have really nailed the essence of his dystopian tale, potentially creating one of the best King adaptations in recent memory. Given King also loved the screenplay co-written by Wright and Michael Bacall, it seems they started on the right foot.

Glen Powell's Anxiety-Inducing Wait for Stephen King's Blessing

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Imagine being offered a dream role by a director like Edgar Wright, only to find out you still need a legendary author's approval! That's exactly what happened to Glen Powell, who's taking on the lead role of Ben Richards. Powell recalled at a New York Comic Con panel that after Wright offered him the part, the director casually dropped a bombshell: "By the way, like, you have to be approved by Stephen King. He's gonna watch Hit Man tonight."

Powell described the agonizing overnight wait, "I had to wait overnight for Stephen King to watch Hit Man and hope that I still had the role in the morning. It's terrible." Thankfully, King "loved" Hit Man, giving Powell the green light to officially step into Ben Richards' shoes. It’s a testament to how involved King is with his adaptations and how much faith he puts in the talent bringing his words to life.

"I've seen it and it's fantastic. DIE HARD for our time. A bipartisan thrill ride."

— Stephen King on Edgar Wright's The Running Man

Diving Deeper into the Dystopian World of "The Running Man"

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For those unfamiliar with King’s original story (published under his pseudonym Richard Bachman), The Running Man plunges us into a near-future, economically challenged, and increasingly violent 2025 America. In this grim reality, a desperate working-class father named Ben Richards enters a deadly, top-rated reality TV show. The stakes? One billion dollars if he can survive for 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every single move broadcast to a "bloodthirsty public."

The film's synopsis paints a vivid picture: Richards, pressured by the charming but ruthless producer Dan Killian (played by Josh Brolin), enters the game as a last resort to save his ailing daughter (Jayme Lawson). But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and sheer grit transform him into an unexpected fan favorite and, critically, a threat to the entire system. As the ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, forcing Ben to outwit not just the hunters but a nation addicted to watching him fall. Glen Powell highlighted the story's chilling relevance, noting how "eerie it is to see where we are living and what it looks like, and how similar it is to all the events that are happening in this book."

Why This Isn't Just Another Remake of the Schwarzenegger Classic

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If you're thinking, "Didn't Arnold Schwarzenegger already do this?" you're not wrong! There was a 1987 film adaptation of The Running Man, which has since become a cult classic. However, director Edgar Wright is keen to emphasize that his new movie isn't a straight-up remake. He told Empire magazine, "I felt that nobody needs, or wants, a straight remake of the 1987 film, but the source material had not been wholly adapted."

The original 1987 movie was a pretty loose adaptation, leaning more into being a typical Arnold action flick with a campy '80s vibe (King himself wasn't its biggest fan). Wright's vision, co-written with Michael Bacall, aims to be "more faithful to the book." While it will pay "homage" to the '87 version, this is a fresh take, designed to bring King's original dystopian vision to the screen with renewed accuracy and a modern sensibility. It's an important distinction that positions Wright's film as a new adaptation rather than a rehash, offering a different flavor of thrills.

Edgar Wright's Signature Style Meets Dystopian Thrills

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Edgar Wright is renowned for his dynamic, visually inventive filmmaking, showcased in hits like Baby Driver, Shaun of the Dead, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. His films are often characterized by their kinetic editing, sharp humor, and meticulous attention to detail. Bringing that energy to The Running Man is exciting.

While King's novella has a gritty, dark tone, early reactions and trailers suggest Wright's interpretation might be "somewhat lighter" in its approach, injecting Glen Powell's Ben Richards with the "swagger associated with the likes of Bruce Willis' John McClane." This "Die Hard for our time" vibe, as King puts it, hints at a blend of intense action and potentially some of Wright's characteristic wit, creating a "bipartisan thrill ride" that balances escapism with poignant social commentary.

Meet the All-Star Cast of Edgar Wright's "The Running Man"

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Beyond Glen Powell's leading role as Ben Richards, Edgar Wright has assembled an impressive ensemble cast to bring this dystopian world to life. Get ready to see some familiar faces:

Glen Powell as Ben Richards
Josh Brolin as Dan Killian (the ruthless show producer)
Jayme Lawson as Sheila Richards (Ben's sick daughter)
Lee Pace as Evan McCone
Colman Domingo
William H. Macy
Emilia Jones
Daniel Ezra
Michael Cera
Katy O'Brian
Sean Hayes

This lineup promises a diverse range of talent, from seasoned veterans to rising stars, ensuring that the intense drama and high-octane action sequences are backed by compelling performances.

Glen Powell's Rise to Action Star and On-Set Stunt Scares

Glen Powell's career has been on an undeniable upward trajectory, with his charm and versatility earning him comparisons to classic Hollywood leading men. He credits Chris Pratt's portrayal of Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy for opening doors for "buoyant" and "silly" leading men, a mold Powell feels "most at home" in. Director Edgar Wright agrees, seeing Powell as "a conduit for the audience because he's someone you can identify with or relate to."

Bringing The Running Man to life wasn't without its challenges, especially for Powell, who got hands-on with some intense stunts. At New York Comic Con, he shared a couple of genuinely terrifying moments. "There were a few explosions that hit me in the face," he recounted with a laugh, mentioning a fire extinguisher that "exploded before time" and caught him off guard. Another heart-stopping moment involved a fall down a building side where "They let a cable loose a little before I thought it was going to be let loose." Powell emphasized that these are moments "you can't fake," promising audiences some truly authentic, nerve-wracking action.

In a bit of real-world promotion, Powell even served as Grand Marshall for the NASCAR South Point 400 in Las Vegas on October 12, meeting with racing legends to drum up excitement for the film – a fitting tie-in for a movie about a high-stakes, high-speed game of survival.

When and Where Can You Watch "The Running Man"?

Mark your calendars, movie buffs! Paramount Pictures' The Running Man is set to debut theatrically on November 14, 2025. Originally slated for a slightly earlier release, it was pushed back a week to take full advantage of IMAX screens, promising an even more immersive and explosive cinematic experience. It's gearing up to be a major fall release, competing with other anticipated films like Now You See Me: Now You Don’t and Wicked: For Good, but with Stephen King's endorsement and Glen Powell's rising star power, it's definitely one to watch.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About "The Running Man" Answered

When does Edgar Wright's "The Running Man" come out?

The Running Man is scheduled for theatrical release on November 14, 2025.

Is this a remake of the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie?

No, not exactly! Director Edgar Wright clarifies it's a new adaptation that aims to be more faithful to Stephen King's original 1982 novel. While it will pay homage to the 1987 film, it's designed to tell King's story in a fresh, accurate way.

Who is starring in the new "The Running Man" movie?

Glen Powell leads the cast as Ben Richards, alongside an impressive ensemble that includes Josh Brolin, Lee Pace, Colman Domingo, Jayme Lawson, William H. Macy, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Michael Cera, Katy O'Brian, and Sean Hayes.

What is Stephen King's reaction to the new film?

Stephen King has seen the movie and given it a glowing review! He called it "fantastic," and "DIE HARD for our time. A bipartisan thrill ride" on social media.

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